Mamata Banerjee Blames BSF, Foreign Elements for Murshidabad Violence: ‘Isn’t It the BSF’s Duty to Guard the Border?’
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday held the Border Security Force (BSF) and alleged foreign elements responsible for the recent violence in Murshidabad, which erupted over the newly introduced Waqf Amendment Act.
Labeling the unrest as “pre-planned,” Banerjee questioned the BSF’s role in maintaining border security and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rein in Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
“Isn’t it the BSF’s duty to guard the border?” Banerjee asked while addressing a meeting with imams. She cited reports suggesting the involvement of cross-border elements in the Murshidabad violence, which claimed three lives and left several others injured.
She assured religious leaders that the state government would investigate the reported BSF firing that allegedly resulted in a civilian death during the unrest. “I will instruct the Chief Secretary to conduct a thorough probe,” she added.
Appealing directly to the Prime Minister, Banerjee said, “Please don’t allow any atrocious law. I request you to monitor Amit Shah—he is causing harm to the nation to fulfill his political ambitions.”
She also criticized the Centre’s handling of the Waqf Amendment Bill, questioning its urgency in passing the legislation. “Why were you in such a hurry? Were you not aware of the situation in Bangladesh?” she asked, referring to reports quoting Home Ministry sources that hinted at foreign interference.
“If that’s the case, then the Centre must take responsibility. The BSF, not the state government, is responsible for border security. Why were BJP-backed outsiders allowed to enter and create chaos before escaping the scene? Accountability must be established,” Banerjee emphasized.
The Chief Minister also announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹10 lakh for the families of each of the three victims.
TMC Leading the Charge Against Waqf Amendment Act
Reaffirming her opposition to the Waqf Amendment Act, Banerjee stated that the law undermines India’s federal structure and vowed that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would continue its resistance in Parliament.
She dismissed allegations linking the TMC to the Murshidabad violence. “If the TMC were involved, the homes of its leaders wouldn’t have been attacked,” she argued.
Banerjee also accused certain media outlets of circulating misleading videos from other states to tarnish West Bengal’s image. “Some BJP-funded media houses are trying to defame us by sharing unrelated footage,” she claimed.
